May the Lord, my rock, be praised, who trains my hands for battle and my fingers for warfare. He is my faithful love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer.  He is my shield, and I take refuge in Him;  He subdues my people under me.  Psalm 144:1-2 HCSB

The fight that is within is truly a gift from God.  We are not all called to be soldiers, or first responders, or school teachers, or doctors or nurses.  God gave each of us a specific gift.  He distributes these gifts so that there is balance in our churches and in our communities.

I applaud the brave men and women who have served our country in the armed forces.  Today, we salute them and take a moment to reflect on what they have done for our country. We all know that freedom is not free, someone has to pray the price.  I strongly encourage you today to stop and think for a moment about those that have paid the price to keep our country free.  We celebrate Veterans day today although it was actually yesterday.  Yesterday, you were able to attend the church of your choice because of the Veterans that have served our country.  You are able to come and go as you please, and work where you choose because of the Veterans that have fought to keep our country free.  We are the land of the free because of these brave men and women.

So for you, was their fighting in vain?  Have you taken full advantage of the liberties they have provided.  Did you go out and exercise your right to vote last Tuesday?  Are you attending church and reading your Bible while you are still free to do so?  Do you have any idea how many men and women have served and been injured in war so that you have these freedoms?  That’s not to mention the men and women that died serving their country so that you can be free.

This country was founded by God fearing men on biblical principles.  Sadly, we have become a far cry from what we were during the times that the first settlers came to this country and fought for religious freedom. What if you could not attend the church of your choice without risking your life to do so?  What if you were risking your life to own a bible, much less read it?  We don’t think about things like that because we can go to church and read our bible any time we choose to do so.  In some countries, that might get you killed.

There is an old saying that says, “if you don’t use it, you lose it”.  Our freedom to serve our Lord, the one true God, is something we never want to lose my friend.  My hope is that you are using that freedom today.

I ask you not to take your freedom lightly.  Many men have fought and come home with severe physical injuries and/or suffer with PTSD because they fought to give you your freedom.  Please don’t take that for granted

Today, I have two prayers.  First I would like to thank God for the brave men and women who have served this country and pray for their salvation and their peace and joy.  Secondly, I would like to pray for the citizens of this country.  I would like to pray that they do not take these freedoms for granted.  I pray that they understand and take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity that we have in our country.

Take time today to salute a veteran.  Take time today to thank them for their service and to thank God for them.

Have  a great day!